Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?
Wed, 02/03/2010 - 14:14HI - our daughter was diagnosed over the summer with Absence Seizures. Her pediatric neurologist has recommended starting her on Ethosuximide. She has assured us that the side effects are primarily "upset stomach" and that can remedied by taking the medication with food.
We are new to all of this and quite overwhelmed. Currently, these seizures are not interferring with her school work, behavior, or social activities. Since it is most likely that she will "out-grow" them we are reluctant to start medication.
Is there anyone "out there" who has never medicated OR started the medication and then stopped it b/c of the side effects?
We don't want to make the wrong decision. Thank you for any insight.
Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?
Submitted by sem1981 on Mon, 2010-05-10 - 07:59
I have absence seizure and I am on medication but I was only out on the meication because no one knew I was having the absence seizures and when I came home form work one day I fell in my house having a Grand Mal seizure. I recently tired to cut back on the medication because of the side effects, they make me have panic attacks and super irritable. I ended up having at least one seizure that we know of before I went back on the higher dose of medicine. Although there are also other medications I have stopped taking during my life because I just couldn't handle the side effects. My suggestion would be that if the side effects get to the point that they bother you or your child to the point that you can't stand it talk to the doctor about them That's what my doctor told me to do. And if the only side effect she is having is stomach upset try some tums or mylanta, I had to do that when I was ynger and I was on a medication that upset my stomach. The mylanta coats the stomach so I took it later in the day after my medication had time to absorb, so it's something you might want to talk to the doctor about.